Police warn of Valley groping suspect free on bail

A warning to women in the San Fernando Valley: a suspected sexual predator is back on the streets. Thursday LAPD detectives held a news conference making a plea to the public.

Police are warning women and girls to beware of 30-year-old Irvine Perez.

"Between the months of June and October of this year it is alleged that Perez has committed numerous sexual assaults targeting teenage girls and women walking alone," said LAPD Lt. Michael Rimkunas. "Ages of our victims are between 15 and 32 years of age."

Detectives say Perez has targeted at least seven victims. They say in most cases he runs up to unsuspecting women and girls on the street and gropes them before jumping in his car and taking off. Police say in one incident Perez chased a 17-year-old girl in an attempt to grope her. Police believe there may be other victims.

Perez was recently arrested and charged with multiple sexual battery charges in connection with the alleged incidents, but is currently out of jail on $400,000 bail.

"We are asking the public to come forward if they have been a victim or have witnessed any of these crimes," said Rimkunas. "We are asking students to be vigilant and if walking to school should considering walking in pairs because we truly believe in safety in numbers."

Between 2006 and 2007, Perez was convicted and sent to prison for a string of sexual batteries on women in the San Fernando Valley. Upon release he had to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and was registered as a sex offender.

Police say when the courts allowed him to take the bracelet off in May, by June he was on the hunt for victims once again.

"The Los Angeles Police Department is working in conjunction with the Los Angeles School Police Department to ensure that our community and all students are safe within the North Hollywood area," said Rimkunas.

Perez is due back in court early next month.

Anyone with information related to the case should contact Los Angeles Police at (877) LAPD-24-7.